The pilot program will expand access to primary care in Queensland aged care facilities and could be expanded to other states.
Medibank’s primary care clinic network, Better Medical, is trialling a mobile clinic to bring GP services to almost 8000 residents in Queensland aged care facilities.
The Your Doctor in Aged Care pilot program is supporting 10 GPs working across 24 aged care facilities, mainly in southeast Queensland, to improve access to primary care.
Better Medical may expand the model nationally following the early success of the Queensland pilot, a spokesperson told The Medical Republic.
Medibank said the clinic structure was designed to reduce administrative burden on GPs by providing centralised administration, coordination and clinical support so doctors could spend more time on clinical care.
The pilot was developed in response to growing demand for more streamlined GP services in aged care, growing workforce pressures in primary care and the need for more support for GPs caring for older people, Medibank said.
GP and Better Medical director of medical services, Dr Claire Broadley, said the model was designed to improve access to care while supporting clinicians.
“Aged care continues to face significant workforce and access challenges, particularly in regional communities where access to GPs can be limited,” Dr Broadley said.
“Older Australians deserve timely, high-quality and compassionate medical care.
“By providing dedicated administrative and operational support behind the scenes, we’re making it easier for GPs to focus on what matters most, caring for their patients.”
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Dr Broadley said the service would improve continuity of care and expand access to medical services for older people.
“We’re proud of what we’ve built and excited about the opportunity to continue refining the model and exploring how it could support more residents in the future.”
Group lead of Medibank’s healthcare delivery arm Amplar Health, Robert Read, said Amplar would support Better Medical to test and refine the service model which had the potential to be expanded.
“Primary care is the front door to Australia’s healthcare system,” Mr Read said.
“It plays a critical role in helping people stay healthier for longer, reducing avoidable hospitalisations and helping patients access the care they need, when and where they need it.
“As Australia’s population ages, we need smarter and more sustainable ways of delivering care.
“Models such as Your Doctor in Aged Care bring healthcare directly to residents while supporting GPs to provide proactive, comprehensive and connected care.
“At Amplar Health, we’re committed to strengthening primary care because a stronger primary care system delivers better outcomes for patients and a more sustainable healthcare system for Australia.”
